Cappadaridaceae: an unusual host-plant family record for the cabbage root fly Delia radicum (L.) (Dip.: Anthomyiidae)

1 Pages·1999·0.42 MB·English

by  David G Notton

184 ENTOMOLOGIST'SRECORD,VOL. Ill 25.vii.1999
reported his findings to me, I realised that they could only have been this species;
they were recorded on the county moth database, but as there was no voucher
specimen I could not confirm the finding. On 1 April 1999, Adrian had two more
specimens ofthis moth, taken in his garden at Bideford. These wereretainedand are
now inhiscollection.
On 8 April 1999, Alan Jenkins and I visited the original site near to Great
Torrington and at around 23.30 hours the first C. leucographa came to light, with
two others following; two of these were males and the third a female, which
subsequently laideggs whichwill, hopefully, bebredthrough.
A further male specimen ofthis species was captured by Frank Smith, to light at
Lower Washfield, near Tiverton, on 17 April 1999. This specimen has since been
confirmedbyme andhasbeenretainedbyHarry Wooltorton, fromExmouth.
According to South (1907. Moths ofthe British Isles) C. leucographa was "More
frequently taken in . . . and Devon". Other records which I have to hand as Devon
moth recorder are: Lee Moor, near Plymouth, 1861 to 1865 (J.J. Reading); Exeter
and Barnstaple, circa 1870 (G.F. Mathew); Bishopsteignton, one to light 22 March
1953 (W.L. Coleridge) and Huntshaw, near Great Torrington (Rothamsted Insect
Survey light trap), two in 1972, four in 1974 and two in 1975, determined by Sue
ParkerorJoanNicklen.
The species seems to occur, mainly, in the Bideford-Great Torrington area, but
clearly could be more widespread.- Roy McCormick, 36 Paradise Road,
Teignmouth,DevonTQ14 8NR.
Cappadaridaceae: An unusual host-plantfamily record for the cabbage rootfly
Deliaradicum (L.) (Dip.: Anthomyiidae)
A sample ofmaggots submitted to Reading Museum Service in August of 1998 by
Mrs T. Aldiss ofChazey Road, Caversham, Berkshire (OS grid reference SU 7075)
had been found at the base ofspider flowerplants Cleome sp. (Cappadaridaceae) in
hergardenwherethey hadbeeneating away atthe stems atandaroundgroundlevel.
The larvae were reared on, producing flies in Septemberand these were identifiedas
cabbage root flies Delia radicum (L.). They were slightly smaller than is normal for
this species, but this was probably because they were removed from their food
before they were fully grown. The cabbage root fly is well known as a pest of
cultivated Cruciferae including cauliflowers, cabbages, radishes, turnips and swedes,
feeding mainly on the roots but also tunnelling in the stems (Smith, 1989. An
introduction to the immature stages ofBritishFlies. Handbooksforthe identification
ofBritish Insects 10(14)), so this host plant record is significant as it is a entirely
unrelated family from that normally attacked. Thanks are due to Brian Baker for
collecting the specimens and to Hugh Carter and Nigel Wyatt for identifying them.
Voucher specimens have been deposited with Reading Museum Service and The
Natural History Museum, London.- David G. Notton, Museum of Reading,
ReadingMuseumService,BlagraveStreet, Reading RGl IQH.